The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Kejriwal to run govt from jail, meet 2 ministers every week, says AAP
CHIEF MINISTER Arvind Kejriwal will run the Delhi government properly from jail by meeting two ministers every week and reviewing the progress of work in their departments, said AAP’S National General Secretary (organisation) Dr Sandeep Pathak.
Pathak, along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, had met Kejriwal at Tihar Jail, where he is lodged in judicial custody in the excise policy case, on Monday.
Conveying the CM’S plan of action in the coming days, Pathak said, “From next week, the CM will call two ministers to jail every week — he will review ongoing projects in their departments, and issue guidelines and directions accordingly...”
When asked if the party has gone through the legal aspects of their plan, he said: “The government is already functioning from jail... From next week, the format to run the government from jail will start properly... We will look into legal aspects and... work will be done accordingly...”
However, Director General (Prisons) Sanjay Beniwal said that an inmate is allowed to sign legal documents from inside jail, such as property or company papers, apart from complaints directed towards official or an organisation. He said this is allowed to every inmate.
Further, an officer said an inmate is allowed to add a few names to his visitors who he can meet physically till a month and the number cannot exceed 10 — this applies to all prisoners.
A senior AAP leader said the party will not violate any law. “Like the Punjab CM and AAP General secretary met the CM today... similarly, the ministers will visit the CM in jail and discuss ongoing projects... the CM will review it and give directions verbally... we will follow all legal processes .”
Asked about the party’s campaign plan if the CM does not get relief from the court, Pathak said,
“The entire thing is scripted in the BJP office... so, making any agenda... is tough... it depends on what the BJP will do next.”
Mega campaign starting today
Starting Tuesday, the AAP is going to hold 200 meetings in the four Lok Sabha constituencies it is contesting as part of a seat-sharing deal with the Congress.
The campaign, Jail ka Jawab vote se Sankalp Sabha’, will continue till May 23, said AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai.
Under this, all party MLAS will hold 40 sabha meetings in areas falling under the four Lok Sabha Constituencies -- East, South, West and New Delhi.
“I will kickstart the campaign tomorrow from Vishwas Nagar Assembly constituency... and hold 40 sabhas... this will continue till April 22. Similarly, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh will start these sabhas from Ambedkar Nagar which will continue till May 23... All leaders will hold such sabhas and will take a pledge against the arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal...,” he said.
“Schedules will be released soon for all sabhas... Our target is to get the one lakh people to take pledge...,” he said.